Man Facing Felony Drug Charges After Traffic Stop Near Laramie

A man is facing charges after a Wyoming Highway Patrol found over 45 pounds of marijuana in his rental car.

Scott Henson, 35, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver in Albany County District Court Wednesday. He faces up to 15 years in prison and $20,000 in fines if convicted of both the charges

Henson was arrested on Aug. 10 after he was pulled over by a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper on Interstate 80 near Laramie for following a semi-trailer too closely. The Patrol had received prior traffic complaints about Henson boxing in semi-trailers, according to court documents.

During the stop, the Henson gave the trooper car rental agreements, none of which were for the vehicle he was driving. Henson had the vehicle agreement for the car he was driving texted to him and the trooper noticed the car was due to be returned to Indianapolis, Indiana by Aug. 13. Henson couldn’t give the trooper any plausible travel plans and seemed overly nervous during questioning. The trooper became suspicious and deployed a K-9 unit which alerted to the car, indicating the odor of a controlled substance, court documents state.

The trooper searched the car and found about 45 pounds of marijuana located in duffel bag in the trunk. The marijuana was parceled out in vacuum-sealed packages.

Henson is out on 10 percent of a $10,000 cash bond. His trial is set for Feb. 27 and 28.